If heat stroke is not treated quickly, it might be fatal. Some of its severe symptoms include a dramatic increase in body temperature, fast heartbeat, and unconsciousness.
Large portions of north India frequently face devastating heat waves in the height of summer, but this time the temperature spike in April is cause for alarm. As the body’s natural thermostatic system is altered by the intense heat, major health hazards result. Some of the typical ailments brought on by the sweltering weather outside are heat cramps, heat stroke, dehydration, exhaustion, diarrhoea, and disorientation.
Extreme weather conditions may potentially have long-term consequences. In several instances, it has been seen that the heat wave is making chronic health issues worse. Additionally, a quick rise in temperature causes behavioural changes in humans.
“Heat stroke is a major medical emergency that, if not addressed right away, might be fatal. According to Dr Rakesh Gupta, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine – Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals, Raipur, it happens when the body’s temperature control mechanism fails to cool the body down, causing a dangerously high body temperature.
Heat exhaustion is brought on by protracted exposure to heat, and if left untreated, it can develop into heatstroke. When your core body temperature exceeds 104 F (40 C) or greater, you are experiencing a potentially fatal condition known as heatstroke. It
Your brain and other important organs may suffer long-term harm, which may even result in death.
Although heat exhaustion and heat stroke are similar, there are several key differences. A lack of water and extended exposure to extremely high temperatures are the two main causes of heat exhaustion. According to Dr Pavan Pai, Consultant Interventional Neurologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, this may cause profuse sweating, fast breathing, and a rapid yet weak pulse.
Drs. Rakesh Gupta and Pavan Pai discuss heat stroke symptoms you shouldn’t ignore:
High body temperature:
Heat stroke is frequently indicated by a core body temperature of 104°F (40°C) or greater. If this occurs, you should seek medical help right once.
Rapid heartbeat:
The rising body temperature may cause the heart to beat more quickly.
Rapid breathing:
Breathing faster may be an attempt by the body to cool itself down. Your heart is under a great deal of stress as a result of overheating. Why? To guarantee that your body’s natural cooling mechanisms keep your temperature under control, it needs to pump harder and faster. Breathing difficulties or hyperventilation might come from this.
Confusion or disorientation:
Heat stroke can have an impact on brain function, leading to seizures, confusion, or disorientation. A loss of coordination, confusion, rage, or an inability to walk is an important warning symptom of exertional heat stroke since it affects your central nervous system.
Headache:
A strong headache that is frequently accompanied by fainting or dizziness may be a sign of heat stroke. Dehydration or the overall impact of heat stroke on the central nervous system are the typical causes of this ailment.
Vomiting:
Vomiting and nausea are possible symptoms of the body’s normal reaction to a high body temperature.
Dry, hot skin:
Despite the elevated body temperature, the skin may feel dry, hot, and flushed and may not sweat.
Muscular cramps or weakness:
Heat stroke can result in weakness, loss of consciousness, or even muscular spasms. This is also referred to as heat cramps and is one of the first symptoms of heat exhaustion following activity. You may experience severe spasms when you perspire in suffocating heat, especially in your arms, legs, or belly.
Lack of sweat or too much:
Your body stops attempting to regulate its internal core temperature if you are exposed to high heat for a lengthy period of time. Therefore, if you have a traditional heat stroke (the kind that happens gradually), you may really stop perspiring. You’ll probably begin to perspire a lot if you have exertional heat stroke.
Dizziness:
As you continue to perspire, your body will gradually get dehydrated, resulting in feelings of nausea, sickness, or vomiting. When many organs are affected by heat, any of the symptoms of heat stroke described above may worsen and cause dizziness, fainting, nausea, or vomiting.
Skin rashes:
Both traditional and exertional heat strokes cause skin rashes when the body directs blood flow to the area to cool itself off. Your skin may also feel too damp or abnormally dry, depending on the type of heat stroke you experience.
“While you wait for emergency assistance, make quick steps to cool the overheated person. Emergency medical care is required for heat stroke. If heat stroke is not treated, it might quickly cause damage to your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. According to Dr Pai, the longer you wait to get treatment, the worse the damage gets, increasing your risk of serious complications or death.
